In our series sharing the stories and perspectives of ICSD members, we meet Justin Francis Leon V. Nicolas, Dean and Professor 6 at the College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. With a background in academic leadership and doctoral research exploring creativity in social work practice, Justin shares insights into his work and his approach to social development.
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Please tell us a little about yourself, your current role and your main areas of interest or expertise in social development.
I am currently the Dean and Professor 6 at the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD), University of the Philippines Diliman. My academic leadership builds on prior appointments as Director of the Doctor of Social Development Program and Chairperson of the Department of Social Work. I completed my PhD in Social Work at The University of Newcastle, Australia, where my doctoral dissertation focused on articulating creativity in social work practice.
Beyond my administrative duties, I serve as a Board Member-at-Large for the International Consortium for Social Development (Global) and Board Secretary for Good Neighbors International Philippines. I am also an active peer reviewer for international outlets, including the Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work and Research on Social Work Practice. My scholarship lies at the intersection of creative social work practice, model-building as theorizing, community-based mental health, and radical compassion in social development. I have published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and international handbooks with Routledge, Springer, and Cognella. On a personal note, I am happily married and the proud father of two grown-up daughters.
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What first drew you to the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD), and how long have you been involved with the organisation?
My path to ICSD began during my doctoral studies in Australia, where I was first exposed to the consortium’s scholarship and the foundational text by Manohar Pawar. I kept close tabs on the organization, noting the launch of the *International Journal of Community and Social Development* during international conferences. Over time, participating in virtual events—such as the conference in Johannesburg—deepened my engagement, leading me to formally join as a member.
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How has being part of ICSD benefited you personally or professionally?
Professionally, aligning with ICSD was vital during my tenure as Director of the Doctor of Social Development Program at UP Diliman. ICSD represents the premier global academic space dedicated explicitly to social development, making it the most natural and strategically valuable international home for our college. It has expanded my global network, facilitated rich cross-cultural dialogues on social development theory and practice, and offered invaluable opportunities for research collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
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Is there a particular ICSD experience, connection or opportunity that has been especially valuable or memorable for you?
Serving as Project Leader and Conference Director for the 10th ICSD Asia Pacific Biennial Conference hosted by UP CSWCD in October 2024 stands out as a defining highlight. Hosting the conference gave me the privilege of welcoming leading scholars like Manohar Pawar and Asok Sarkar to our campus. A deeply personal highlight of that event was co-composing the conference hymn, *”Harinawa,”* for which I performed and produced the English translation—a true blending of creative praxis and social development!
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You have recently joined the ICSD Board. What do you hope to contribute in this role?
First and foremost, I am committed to expanding ICSD’s presence and reach across the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Historically, many social work academics in our region defaulted to APASWE or IASSW, so I aim to position ICSD as an essential platform for multidisciplinary social development scholars. Looking ahead, I am eager to help bridge local grassroots scholarship with global dialogues, leverage research collaborations across member institutions, and strengthen our collective engagement in international policy spaces, including UN-level conventions.
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What do you see as some of the most important social development issues or opportunities that ICSD should be engaging with over the next few years?
The most urgent frontier remains the political economy of exclusion and persistent systemic inequality. Across Global South contexts like the Philippines, the prevalence of precarious, informal labor leaves millions acutely vulnerable to economic shocks and environmental disasters. This directly connects to the imperative for ecological justice, climate action, and a just transition.
Furthermore, shifting regional demographics—such as rapid population ageing—demand new social protection frameworks. Finally, addressing governance deficits and institutional corruption is essential, as these directly compromise the delivery of vital social services and public infrastructure. ICSD is uniquely positioned to drive critical, transformative discourse on these intersecting realities
8. What would you say to someone considering becoming an ICSD member?
ICSD is rare in its ability to bring together social workers, community organizers, development practitioners, and allied scholars into a single global home. What makes it exceptionally special is its commitment to equity—offering tiered, accessible membership fees that intentionally welcome scholars and practitioners from the Global South. Its flat, egalitarian organizational culture fosters genuinely democratic participation, while its flagship journal and regional branches provide vibrant avenues for international collaboration. Joining ICSD means gaining a truly global, inclusive network dedicated to transformative social change.